How does the DRS work
The Deposit Refund System is an example of a circular economy, based on the collection, recovery, and recycling of recyclable packaging, with significant environmental benefits.
For the consumer-citizen, the Deposit Refund System proposed by SDR Portugal will work in an accessible, simple, and intuitive way. At the time of purchasing single-use beverage packages up to three litres, the consumer-citizen will pay a specific amount (the deposit value), which is fully refundable upon return.
When returning one or more single-use packaging at collection points provided by SDR Portugal throughout the national territory, these packages are taken to Counting and Sorting Centres and subsequently transformed into secondary raw materials (rPET) to be used in the production of new packages that will then be available as a new product for sale to the consumer.
SDR Portugal thus enables the consumer-citizen, with ease and transparency, to immediately recover the amount paid at the time of purchasing the product and actively contribute to the national effort to collect and recycle more effectively.
Retail
An additional deposit fee, fixed and independent of the price of the product, is charged upon purchase of beverage single-use containers
Beverage Industry
Beverage producers and packagers
Consumer-citizen:
The consumer returns the single-use containers to the collection point and receives the deposit paid upon purchase
Management of the Deposit Refund System
Recyclers
Those who transform the material collected for recycling and reuse as new packaging to produce new containers
Counting and Sorting Centres
For the counting and preparation of used single-use containers for recycling
Collection Points
In retail, traditional stores, hospitality, and other locations
Logistics
From collection points of single-use containers to counting and sorting centres
For the consumer-citizen, the Deposit Refund System proposed by SDR Portugal will work in an accessible, simple, and intuitive way. At the time of purchasing single-use beverage packages up to three litres, the consumer-citizen will pay a specific amount (the deposit value), which is fully refundable upon return.
When returning one or more single-use packaging at collection points provided by SDR Portugal throughout the national territory, these packages are taken to Counting and Sorting Centres and subsequently transformed into secondary raw materials (rPET) to be used in the production of new packages that will then be available as a new product for sale to the consumer.
SDR Portugal thus enables the consumer-citizen, with ease and transparency, to immediately recover the amount paid at the time of purchasing the product and actively contribute to the national effort to collect and recycle more effectively.
Retail
An additional deposit fee, fixed and independent of the price of the product, is charged upon purchase of beverage single-use containers
Consumer-citizen:
The consumer returns the single-use containers to the collection point and receives the deposit paid upon purchase
Collection Points
In retail, traditional stores, hospitality, and other locations
Management of the Deposit Refund System
Logistics
From collection points of single-use containers to counting and sorting centres
Counting and Sorting Centres
For the counting and preparation of used single-use containers for recycling
Recyclers
Those who transform the material collected for recycling and reuse as new packaging to produce new containers
Beverage industry
Beverage producers and packagers